Who’s guarding your gates?

The opening line of this week’s parsha, Shoftim, says, “Appoint judges and officers in all your gates.” On the surface, the Torah is talking about national leadership – a justice system to maintain law and order in the Jewish community.

But the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that Torah always speaks to us personally. “Your gates” aren’t only city entrances; they are the gateways into your own life – your eyes, ears, mouth, and mind. And just as we in South Africa understand the need for proper security, a Jew needs to understand that without gates and security, without personal judges and officers, he is leaving his or her most valuable treasure – the neshama – wide open.

In South Africa, we know all about gates, electric fences, beams, armed response, and still, we check twice before going to bed. Why? Because when something is valuable, you think about how best to protect it.

The Torah says our spiritual life deserves no less vigilance.

A shofet (judge) is your inner decision-maker, the part of you that uses Torah and Yiddishkeit as the standard.

Before something gets through your “gates”, your judge should ask: will this strengthen my connection to Hashem? Will it uplift my home, family, and community?

A shotair (policeman) is the enforcer. Without one, even the wisest judgement remains a theory. The judge says, “This isn’t the right kind of conversation to join.” The policeman says, “We’re walking away now.”

The judge says, “Enough scrolling; it’s time to learn something uplifting.” The policeman physically puts the phone down.

The Rebbe pointed out that most people struggle on one of these two fronts.

Either they don’t have clarity about what’s right – a weak internal judge – or they know what’s right, but lack the discipline to act on it – a weak internal policeman.

The Torah demands both: constant clarity and consistent enforcement.

The verse says, “Titen lecha” (you shall appoint). It’s a job only you can do. No-one else can be the ultimate gatekeeper of your soul. Friends, family, or rabbis can guide, but the daily appointments, the real-time decisions, are yours alone.

Think of a few real-life examples:

• In traffic: someone cuts you off. The internal judge reminds you about savlanut (patience). ⁠⁠The internal policeman holds back the words you were about to shout;
• ⁠At work: a tempting shortcut in business ethics presents itself. The judge recalls the Torah’s standards for honesty. ⁠⁠The policeman refuses to act; and
• ⁠At home: a conversation drifts toward lashon harah. The judge rules, “Not appropriate.” The policeman changes the topic.

Security in our city is never “set and forget”. Systems need maintenance; guards need training; alarms need testing.

The same is true spiritually: yesterday’s good habits won’t necessarily hold up against today’s challenges.

Our judges and policemen must be constantly reappointed and retrained, and this is something only we can do for ourselves.

Upon Moshiach’s arrival, the whole world will run on truth and holiness, but that begins with each of us living that way now. When we guard our gates, we help build the world we want to see.

As we enter the month of Elul and begin preparations for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, do a spiritual security check. Who’s guarding your gates? Are your judges wise and your policemen strong? Because the most valuable property you own isn’t behind your driveway gate, it’s inside you.